Dry Washing For An Income

[Dry Digger]

I am interested in hearing from the experienced prospectors on the forum on the subject of drywashing. I have a claim & have done some testing via small batch samples. The claim was worked by old timers but I think there is still good gold left behind by them. My testing has shown just shy of a gram per yard with some hot spots showing double that. The problem & possibly the reason I think there is still gold on the claim is lack of water in close proximity. I read an article last year written in a mining journal stating that many dry areas on claims are not worked because of this reason. The writer went on to state that with the advent & improvement in drywashers these abandoned areas can now possibly be worked profitably without water. I have no experience with them but with rising gold prices now around $1600/ounce I am seriously thinking about taking a shot at trying this processing system on my claim. I am undecided as to using a puffer or a gas powered Keene like the 161 which is enclosed for low dust. Possibly one of each - I don't know. I do like the idea of working in solitude with a battery powered puffer but not sure if enough gravels could be processed to make any money. Do you guys have any thought as to the drywashing idea & if a gram per yard could prove worthwhile? I'm not talking about getting rich LOL. But possibly producing an ounce a week would be great. Also, i'd like to say hello to everyone & this is my first post. Thanks in advance.

 

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[mikep691]

They like to tell you 300 yards, but it's 300 FEET. Not knowing where, I'd say go for it. Quarter mile to water is 440 yards so you're safe anyway. Drywashing will limit you though. Lower yield, then you still need water to finish. Are you northwest, west or southwest of Reno? Northwest puts you in my backyard. West has some water from Truckee river drainage, and southwest has Carson river drainage though not as good has the Truckee.

 

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[Terry Soloman]

I'm going to be completely honest with you. Forget this pipe dream now. Fuel, equipment fatigue, even finding an honest buyer. The "professional" placer miners I have met are skinny, dirty, off the grid types that can't pay for groceries or gas. ANYONE that tells you it can be done, has never tried. Enjoy the hobby.

 

[Dry Digger]

I have a buyer lined up at The Prospectors Shop in Oroville. Pays 85% of spot. A puffer would not require fuel but would need batteries charged. I don't think there would be much expense. I have experience living off grid for months at a time. Bucket toilet, 2 gallon pump sprayer sitting in sun all day for nightly shower, propane cook stove with MRE's & oatmeal for breakfast. I pack in all my food for a 2 to 3 month stay. All non perishable. Been there & done it. Just another day at the beach for me. Temperatures there are 40 to 45 degrees in the mornings rising to sometimes over 100 in late afternoon. Lots of gatorade & water. I can live dirt cheap for long periods of time. Just not sure about the digging & how well the drywashers function. Of course you can't count on ground paying the same everywhere either. I still want to try. I love it when someone tells me it can't be done. That's a challenge for me.

 

[mikep691]

I'm going to be completely honest with you. Forget this pipe dream now. Fuel, equipment fatigue, even finding an honest buyer. The "professional" placer miners I have met are skinny, dirty, off the grid types that can't pay for groceries or gas. ANYONE that tells you it can be done, has never tried. Enjoy the hobby.

I don't disagree with that. I don't make a living at it, so it's exercise and therapy from society. But you can hope the hole card works JUST ONCE.

 

[Dry Digger]

Just so you know, I take a shower with 1/2 gallon of water. That's a military type shower. I made a mistake on the 300 yard distance - mike is right - 300 ft. Good catch mike.

 

[mikep691]

Good luck with your venture. Not as easy as you make it sound. But it is your choice. We use 5 gallons to shower at our claim. We can at least use some soap. I'm smellin' something similar so I'm out.

 

[Dry Digger]

So my question to Terry Soloman is are you saying a hard working man with modern equipment working on good pay ground can't produce one ounce of gold per week? Just want to get it straight.

 

[Dry Digger]

Never said it was easy or if it would produce enough gold. As far as off grid living, I'm quite comfortable living like that. I really do take a shower with 1/2 gallon of water. You use a pressure sprayer to wet down. Then lather up & rinse. It's not hard.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Hello again. Feel like we’ve met before.

When we go elk hunting it’s days before showers and then $1.50 at the RV park only buys so much water. Maybe all miners are kind of the same.

How far to town from where your mining?

 

[Dry Digger]

Mike691, I also use soap. That's a very condescending attitude. Here's how you take a shower with 1/2 gal of water. I usually have a couple of 2 gal water pressure sprayers sitting in the sun while i'm working. They get nice & warm during the day. You can also use a water bladder (5 or 6 gal) as a source to heat water & transfer that to a sprayer. I have a shower tent I set up. You spray yourself down with water, lather up, spray yourself off. This generally requires 1/2 gal of water. You can use a bit more but not necessary.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Dry Digger also known as Silveraith, when your banned under one name for threatening a member you dont get to rejoin under new name and start over.

Say goodbye.

 

[mikep691]

Knew it
Right after the PM he sent to me. Glad you're on the ball TH. was just looking you up for pm.

 

[Terry Soloman]

So my question to Terry Soloman is are you saying a hard working man with modern equipment working on good pay ground can't produce one ounce of gold per week? Just want to get it straight.

IF you have ground that gives up an ounce a week, I'll eat your hat. You are obviously a greenhorn with no idea of what you are doing. God bless you and keep you. In the end, you can get a job digging ditches. Same work, more money, and you can go home at night and relax. Dreaming is a young man's pursuit.

 

[Rail Dawg]

Had me going for the first two pages lol.

Was actually interesting to read but the minute the OP went off the rails in anger at some good advice...

Got to hand it to Treasure Hunter. He smelled that one out quickly!

Chuck

 

[Goodyguy]

 

[mikep691]

Guess I'll go take a long shower...............It feels like I've been slimed

I smelled the simularity, then he sent a pm saying he was in one of the wettest counties in the state. Not hard to 2+2 and get silver.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Dude, why not start an openly fictional thread and show off your writing skills? You might get just as much attention.

Unless it’s intended to be disrespect and personal.
I’m positive you still have an account in good standing.

 

[mikep691]

Don't know, but this may have blown out his options. His TVshow thread is gone. so not many options left. Just as good. Maybe he needs to learn by reading before jumping in with plans to take over the mining world

 

[Bodfish Mike]

Well I fell for it -- but I did learn something that I will have to research --- no Drywashing within 300 feet of river ?
never heard of that before and if it's true -- WHY--
Cheers Mike

 

[mikep691]

Only the play account is gone.

There are others in good standing I’m sure.

Which one of you are guilty?

I've been banned from many forums for speaking my mind. GPAA didn't like that much. I can say I survived here as long as I've been here, though did once have a run in with Treasure Hunter. I don't think I've been sent to my corner once, and have never changed my name. Think I'm safe